What does blush mean?
Blush is both a verb and a noun describing the involuntary reddening of the face that accompanies embarrassment, shame, modesty, or sudden self-consciousness. As a verb, it means to become visibly flushed in this way — "she blushed when he praised her work" — while as a noun it denotes the flush itself: "a deep blush spread across his cheeks." The word can also describe a soft rosy tint more generally, as in cosmetics or a sunset's pink glow. Because blushing is involuntary and universally recognized, the term appears frequently in literature and everyday speech as shorthand for emotional vulnerability. Related idioms include "at first blush," meaning on initial impression, and "to spare someone's blushes," meaning to spare them embarrassment. Distinct from "flush," which covers reddening from heat, exertion, or drink, blush is reserved for reactions rooted in social feeling. Its uniquely human character fascinated Darwin, who saw it as an expression found only in people.
To become red in the face, especially from embarrassment, shame, or modesty.
"She blushed when her name was called out unexpectedly."
Often used figuratively: "to make someone blush" means to embarrass or flatter them.
An act or instance of turning red in the face from embarrassment or modesty; also, a rosy or pinkish color.
"A faint blush appeared on her cheeks at the mention of his name."
The plural is regular. It also appears in the idiom "to spare someone's blushes."
"The host changed the subject quickly to spare his guest's blushes."
Charles Darwin devoted an entire chapter of The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals to blushing — calling it 'the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blush
Blush derives from Middle English "bluschen", meaning to glow or redden, which in turn comes from Old English "blyscan" or related forms meaning to shine brightly or burn red. It shares Germanic roots with words like "flush" and "flash", all pointing to a core idea of sudden brightness or color. The sense narrowed over time from general glowing or shining to the specific facial reddening of embarrassment, a shift well established by the early modern period.
Related word forms
How blush is actually used
Blush is standard in both formal and informal registers. It carries a connotation of modesty or self-consciousness rather than anger; for reddening from heat, alcohol, or exertion, "flush" is usually preferred. The phrase "at first blush" means "on first impression" and survives from older usage where "blush" could denote a glance or view.
Easily confused with blush
"Flush" refers to any reddening of the face or skin (from heat, exertion, emotion, or alcohol), while "blush" specifically implies reddening caused by embarrassment or modesty.